COMMERCIAL & STATISTICAL REGISTER. EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD. VOL. III. PHILADELPHIA, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1840. Gold Mines in the United States. BRANCH MINT OF THE UNITED STATES, Charlotte, North Carolina, February 10, 1840. Sin: Yours of the 2d ultimo, enclosing the resolutions of the Senate of the 30th December last, as regards (among other subjects) the gold mines of this region, has been duly received. You request me to afford you "all the information in my power with regard to the particulars involved in the ninth or last item-being the annual product of the gold mines of the United States, and the time of their discovery." I had been, for some time previous to the receipt of your letter, acquiring such information, as a correspondence with intelligent gentlemen, and a close observation of such mining operations as came under my notice, would elicit; but I regret that the material as yet collected will not allow me to reply as satisfactorily to your letter as I could wish. Should, however, future investigation, and the inquiries I have set on foot, lead to any interesting information on the points presented by you, I will take the liberty of making it the subject of an early communication. I will take the latter part of your query first-as to the time of the discovery of the mines. In November, 1824, Professor Olmstead, now of Yale College, then professor of chemistry and mineralogy in the University of North Carolina, presented a report on the geology of North Carolina to the board of agriculture, in which he estimates the "gold region to cover an area of not less than 1,000 miles." This paper, accompanied by some geological speculations, was published, in 1825, in the American Journal of Science. Subsequent discoveries, however, assure us, that a succession of gold mines exist from the vicinity of the Potomac river to the State of Alabama.But it is of this immediate region that I shall venture, or am expected, to say any thing. No. 1. and gold." Such veins are not, as might be supposed from the general application of the term, tubes filled with metal, or ore, but extended plates, or laminæ, of unequal thickness; and they differ essentially from beds, in that they do not run parallel with the direction of the strata, but cross them vertically at different degrees of inclination. Most of the metallic veins in the mines of this region are from six inches to four feet in thickness, and their course or dip with the horizon forms an angle of about forty-five degrees. The greatest depth that any shaft has been sunk in another has gone down 163 feet (the Capps mine.) these mines to this period is 175 feet (the Charlotte mine ;) In the early workings of these mines, the gold was found in small pieces from the size of a pennyweight down to particles of extreme minuteness. In 1803, at Reid's mine, a negro found one lump that weighed twenty-eight pounds avoirdupois. This mass was worth $8,000. Hitherto, the largest piece of gold in one mass, found in Europe, says Jameson, in his Mineralogy (III. 10,) only weighed twenty-two ounces. This was found the mineral wealth of our State are of great beauty. at the mines of Micklow, in Ireland. These specimens of Professor Olmstead states that Mr. Reid found at his mine a mass of white flint (quartz) having a projecting point of gold of the size of a pin's head. On breaking it open, a brilliant display of green and yellow colors was presented, which was described as being exceedingly beautiful. The gold weighed twelve pennyweights. It is to be regretted that there was not some depository established at that time; and that these earlier and splendid specimens of the mineral wealth of the county were carried abroad to decorate the museums and cabinets of other nations. The liberality of our Government now affords, at the mother-mint, in Philadelphia, a proper deposit for them; and patriotism, as well as interest, will dictate to those in this region, who may hereafter find these specimens, not to destroy them. I have met with one mass weighing, in the ore, about seventy-five ounces, which yielded nearly $1,000 to the owner, Mr. Belk, of Lancaster, South Carolina.-Specimens of this character would always produce more to the owner than their intrinsic value as gold. Before leaving this point, however, it is proper to say, that the mines in this region are not extensively worked, nor yet fully developed. Nearly all those who have been engaged in min The first mine discovered in this State was Reid's, in the southeast part of Cabarrus county, in 1801 or 1802. Parker's mine, in Montgomery county (which adjoins Cabarrus,) was discovered in 1815, on the same stream (Meadow creek.) In about 1818, Dunn's mine was discovered in this county (Mecklenburg,) about eight miles northwest of Charlotte. The mines of Burke county were discovered in 1828. From these periods down to the present time new mines, of more or less value, have been daily discovered.-ing for the last four years are the farmers or owners of the These mines, are of two kinds: I. Alluvial deposits, or surface mines, and II. Vein mines. The first class occupied the early attention of miners, and is still extensively carried on in Burke, Rutherford, and other auriferous regions of the western part of North Carolina. The precious metal is here obtained by washing away the sand (or pebbles of quartz,) and is a simple process. soil, who take opportune occasions when not engaged in their farms to work their mines. The large companies have either been dissolved or are dormant. So far as the shafts have gone down in the vein mines, experience furnishes no reason to doubt their durability or richness. The veins continue to be well defined, and many of them retain their first size; others become larger and richer. Mr. Rothe, a miner and mineralogist, from Saxony, in some notes on the gold mines The latter class (the vein mines) constitute, principally, of North Carolina, published in Silliman's Journal, states the mines in the vicinity of Charlotte, where the gold is that "veins of two feet in thickness, in other mining counfound by excavation; and is not distinguishable, by the eye, tries, have been followed 2,000 feet deep with little or no in the ore. The ore is reduced by machinery, using quick-variation." He states that the veins in these mines are" from silver for detaching the gold from the earthy substances.-two to four feet in thickness;" and, after a careful examinaThese veins are considered by miners to constitute the most tion, he concludes that these ores will compare with any in They," says Europe, and "richer than those of Brazil." considerable depositories of metallic matter. Professor Mitchell, the present professor of mineralogy at the University of North Carolina, "consist of quartz, of a porous, vesicular structure, containing oxyde of iron, iron pyrites, VOL. III.-1. The important and most difficult point is yet to be answered: What are the annual products of the mines? It is not to be expected that perfect accuracy can be at tained on this point, even by the most patient investigation, or laborious research. The actual amount coined at the mints of the United States is certain. The amount coined at Philadelphia from North Carolina, up to 1838, was (see report of Director of the mint, Senate Doc. No. 98, 25th Congress, 3d session,) $2,648,500 00 In 1838, at Charlotte 80,565 00 In 1839, at Charlotte 162,727 00 $2,891,792 00 Taking an average of ten years, this would be about $300,000 per annum, coined at the mints of the United States, from the mines of North Carolina. An article in the American Almanac for 1832 (a work of great practical use and accuracy,) under the head of North Carolina, states that "the weekly product of the mines was $100,000, or $5,000,000 annually; and that by far the larger portion of the bullion went to Europe, particularly to Paris, and that but a small portion was coined at the United States mint, Philadelphia." I did not reside in this section of North Carolina at that period, and have no data by which I am enabled to pronounce upon the correctness of this statement. There can be no doubt but by far the most extensive working of the mines was done from the year 1830 to 1834; and I am led to believe, from a careful examination of facts, that the coinage of the mint at Philadelphia afforded no very certain criterion of the products of the mines. In venturing this statement, I would give some reasons that influenced my opinion. 1. Many of the mines, in their most productive state, belonged to foreigners, or were leased by them; the agents, or managers, were also foreigners; and the capital, also, was from abroad. The agents then often made prompt returns by remitting the bullion direct to Europe. This was the case with the Chevalier Rivifinoli. 2. On directing a diligent inquiry among the merchants in this place, and other purchasers of gold bullion, I find that many of them carried their bullion direct to New York, which was there assayed and sold; and from thence sent as remittances to Europe. One merchant (in whose intelligence I place much confidence, as also in his integrity) states that his purchases of gold, from 1828 to 1839, was nearly $300,000, as copied from his bullion accounts; and that three-fourths of it went to New York, and was there assayed and sold. Another states that his purchases, since❘ 1828, have averaged $6,000 per annum; and that he carried nearly all to New York, and from thence sent to Europe. One reason why they carried their bullion to New York was, as they assert, that the assayers there gave an additional value above the mint, for the purposes of commerce. This, I presume, was the addition of the premium. 3. Another reason why I conclude that the records of the mint show no certain proof of the amount of bullion produced in this section is, that there is a private manufactory of coin in this region (Mr. Bechtler, of Rutherford) which has coined a large portion of the gold produced in the counties of Burke and Rutherford. He states that from January, 1831, to February, 1840, he coined $2,241,840 50, and fluxed (or melted in bars) 1,729,998 penny weights (see note A in Appendix.) Much of this bullion may have been coined at Philadelphia; but as it answered the purposes of trade, and the community having confidence in the purity of the metal, much of it is carried by travellers, emigrants, traders, and others, into Kentucky, Tennessee, and elsewhere, that probably never found its way to the mint. From our experience, but little has been coined; at least we have not received $500 of it here. Much of it, it is supposed, is still extant among the farmers of the country, laid up with prudent foresight for future use, as well in this section of country as in Tennessee and Kentucky, as at the time it was certainly a safe currency. This, too, is a power ful argument in favor of the propriety of the establishment, by the Government, at an earlier period, in this region, of a mint; when necessity, the proper parent of invention, forced more than $3,000,000 of coin among the people, not bearing any official guaranty of its purity, or any device emblematic of a national character. 4. Another reason why I do not think the mint records show the full amount produced by the mines is, that much of the bullion is sold to manufacturers in bars or grains, which of course never reaches the mint. I leave it to others more conversant with such statistics, to say how much this is to be estimated. In a report on a similar subject, to the Legislature of North Carolina, in 1830, I find the fact stated, that, in 1819, in France alone, there was used, solely for watches, $300,000. In a late extract from an English journal, it is stated that " £50,000 sterling is annually used in Birmingham for plating, and thereby for ever lost as bullion." In a note to some remarks on the gold mines of North Carolina, by Mr. Rothe, already referred to, in Silliman's Journal, it is stated that the last report of the United States mint, in 1826, shows that about $20,000 of North Carolina gold was coined at that institution in that year. "It is well known," says he, "that but a small portion of the gold found at these mines gocs to the mint. The silversmiths of every portion of the country, north and south, purchase it up to be wrought into jewelry and plate of all descriptions. It is preferred by them on many accounts, to gold coin; and consequently they give a better price than the mint." Then, if I am correct that the records of the mint afford no evidence of the total or annual product of these mines, what is their annual product? I find in 1830, in a report to the Legislature of North Carolina, the fact stated, that the product of the mines in that year was $500,000. I should suppose that this is not far from the fact at the time, for the mint at Philadelphia coined from the bullion of North Carolina, in 1833, $475,000, and in 1832, $458,000. Colonel J. T. Avery, the agent of the Bank of the State, at Morganton, whose intelligence and experience give much weight to his opinion, in a letter to me, estimates the total products of Burke and Rutherford alone to be $6,000,000, while, adds he, "Mr. Forney and others who lived among the mines, estimated the gross amount at $12,000,000." "The products of the mines," he concludes, "have been gradually diminishing since 1835, when the high price of cotton drew off the greater portion of the force to the southwest." I therefore, in conclusion, would state it as my opinion, that the mines of this section of our country have yielded ten millions of dollars since their discovery (see note B in Appendix ;) and that their annual product at this time is at least $400,000 (see note C in Appendix.) This is made, too, amid the pressure of the times, the neglected state of many of the best mines, with a small and inadequate force, by chiefly the farmers or owners of the soil, under great disadvantages, such as want of experience, machinery, &c. I offer this statement with much diffidence (as regards the total products of the mines being $10,000,000, and their annual product at present being $400,000,) for, in the first place, it is impossible to obtain perfect accuracy in the matter; and secondly, the time by which I am to make a report, as I premised in the commencement of this communication, is too short "to allow me to reply as satisfactorily to your letter as I could wish ;" and finally, if these results should be erroneous, I have carefully given, in the Appendix, the data whereby I arrived at them, and the errors, if any, can be easily detected. The mining interest in this section is reviving, and the mines will be more extensively worked. A recent investigation by scientific men, aided by ample capital, has resulted in their making a heavy investment. Other companies, now dormant, will renew operations soon. This, added to the low price of cotton and of labor, and the increased value of gold, will, with the favorable indications presented by the mines themselves, give additional impetus to mining operations. The Rudisil mine, in sight of the mint, is now yielding handsomely. In Burke, in the alluvial mines, "last week twenty-six hands raised 2,600 pennyweights;" and this mint, under all the disadvantages incident to a new establishment, coined in last year $162,767 50, all of native bullion. This last, though not least, inducement to mining is now in complete order and successful operation, and by This, including a period of nine years, would give an average of $250,000 a year coined. If to the coinage is added the amount of bullion fluxed, or melted by him (1,730,000 pennyweights, at eighty cents per pennyweight, which is its average assay here, equal to $1,384,000,) it would show that there passed through his hands alone, with in this period, $3,625,840 of gold bullion, the products of the mines of that region, which would show an average of more than $400,000 annually. NOTE B.-Data upon which the opinion is founded" that the total amount of gold bullion found in this section, from the discovery of the mines, amounts to $10,000,000:" Coined at the United States Mints, to 31st December, 1839,..... $3,000,000 Amount of bullion passed through Mr. Bechtler's hands,.... 3,625,000 OFFICIAL. EXPLORING EXPEDITION. U. S. SHIP VINCENNES, HARBOR OF PAPERTE, Otaheite, Sept. 24, 1839. SIR: Previous to sailing from this island, I take leave to communicate the following information relative to it. The harbor of Paperte, situated on the N. W. side of the island, is in lat. 17°, 31', 30, S., and long. 149°, 35′, 02′′, W.; and is the only harbor of the island visited by vessels engaged in the whale fishery for supplies, and one of the principal resorts for the commerce engaged in the Pacific ocean. There is some difficulty in getting in and out of the harbor, and some delay occasionally, owing to head winds; but the anchorage is perfectly safe from all gales. A pilot, appointed by the Queen, attends vessels visiting the harbor, and it is the only island in the Pacific, except the Sandwich islands, New Zealand, and New Holland, which now affords an abundant supply of fresh beef. Ample supplies of hogs, sweet potatoes, yams, taro, bread-fruit, cocoa-nuts, etc., can be obtained. About one hundred foreigners reside here, several of whom are engaged in trades, and supply vessels with such articles as they require. The winds, from March to November, are almost constantly from the eastward or the trades; from November to March, variables are experienced, which sometimes blow from N. and N. W. and Eimeo consist of whale ships, (principally American) The vessels which annually visit the islands of Otaheite transient merchant vessels, and traders from N. S. Wales, bringing cotton fabrics, coal, naval stores, etc., in return for sugar, molasses, arrow root, and cocoa-nut oil. The value of these exports, all of which are produced in the island, is estimated at $35,000. The average amount of American manufactures and productions, brought in whale ships, is estimated by the consul at $800 each; the quantity is annually increasing. I annex a statement of the number and tonnage of American vessels, which have visited this port during the years, 1836, '37, '38, and to 30 June, 1839. Tons. 1836-52 whaling vessels, 18,090 Value of Bullion sold to manufacturers, sent to Europe, carried in bars to the West, &c. &c........ 3,375,000 cargoes. $1,307,500 ... 150,000 00 Shipping valued at $40 per ton, 2,687,240 37,232 50 $8,217,640 The commercial interests of this remote region are rapidly $400,000 00 increasing, and require the frequent visits and protection of a public vessel. Appointments by the President, By and with the advice and consent of the Senate. A. B. Morton, Register of the Land Office at Milwaukie, Wisconsin, from the 5th of July, 1840, when his present commission will expire. LAND OFFICERS. Receivers of Public Moneys. Seton W. Norris, at Indianapolis, Indiana, from the 1st of July, 1840, when his present commission will expire. Charles C. Hascall, at Genesee, Michigan, from the 5th of July, 1840, when his present commission will expire. Matthew Lieper, at Fayetteville, Arkansas, from the 10th of July, 1840, when his present commission will expire. Nimrod E. Benton, at Montgomery, Alabama, from the 14th of July, 1840, when his present commission will expire. Rufus Parks, at Milwaukie, Wisconsin, from the 5th of July, 1840, when his present commission will expire. Daniel T. Witter, Washington. Arkansas, from the 10th of July, 1840, when his present commission will expire. Foreigners are protected in their persons and property. Deserters from vessels are speedily apprehended by the authorities. A wharf has been built for the use of whale ships, and every facility afforded them with the most friendly dis position on the part of the natives. The population of Otaheite does not exceed 10,500, showing a vast decrease since the first discovery, if the early estimates were correct. The causes of this decrease have been ascribed to war, infanticide, and disease; but I am led to believe that these have been as much over-stated as the popu lation by its first visiters. The native resources of the island are great. There can be successfully cultivated to a great extent, the coffee, cotton, sugar, indigo, and other tropical plants and fruits; but the enervating character of the climate, and the abundant provision which nature supplies them, seem for the present almost to neutralize these advantages. Several missionaries reside on Otaheite, have great influence with the government and inhabitants, and are much respected. An opportunity was afforded us by the Rev. Mr. Pritchard, of visiting several examinations of the native may be selected for safety according to the season. The isschools, under the charge of the missionaries; they gave land of Upola is the most central, and being connected with much satisfaction. I availed myself of the opportunity of Monono, where the principal chief resides, has the ascengiving to each scholar a small present as an incentive to fur-dancy over the whole group. The group extends from lat. her exertions. About 3000 attend schools, and all the in- 13°, 40', to 14°, 18', S.; and from long. 169°, 16', 13"; to habitants are professors of Christianity; and one-third of the 172°, 46', 27', W. population read and write well. Several vessels are owned in Otaheite, and they are admitted into the British colonies of New South Wales, on the same footing as English vessels. I have the honor to be, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES WILKES, Commanding Exploring Expedition. HON. JAMES K. PAULDING, U. S. SHIP VINCENNES, HARBOUR OF APIA, Island of Upolu, Navigator Group, Nov. 9, 1839. Sir: I have the pleasure to inform you that we have completed the survey of all the islands of the Samoa or Navigator group, and shall sail to-morrow with the Peacock, Porpoise, and Flying Fish, for Sydney, New South Wales, to meet our supplies of provisions which have been taken there by the Relief. I regret that the lateness of the season prevents my completing at this time the surveys of other important islands in this vicinity, but shall avail myself of the earliest opportunity of doing so. It is supprising that a group of islands so central, fertile, and producing so many advantages as this group, should have been overlooked by previous navigators; and I deem it, therefore, more necessary to make as minute a survey as possible. For this purpose, I had recourse entirely to our boats and smaller vessels, the result of which has made known many new harbors and places of safety for vessels to carry on the commerce of these islands. Every part of the coasts of each of the eight islands has been carefully examined. The charts are now completing, which will give our results, but owing to the necessary daily duties are not yet completed, and will not be in time to forward by this opportunity. Besides making the surveys, the scientific gentlemen and some officers have been sent over the different islands on excursions, by which I have obtained much valuable information relative to the productions, soil, cultivation, and the disposition and character of their inhabitants. Among the harbors of Jutnilla, that of Pago Pago is the safest. Of those of Upolu, that of A pia is the most central and best of that island. It is situated on the north side, in lat. 13°, 49′, 13′′, S., long. 171°, 41', 09", W. Two others were found on the south side, and three on the north. Of those found on the island of Savaii, Mataatoo is the best; it is situated in lat. 13°, 27' 54", S., long. 172°, 20', W. The harbors are formed by openings or breaks in the reefs, which surround the islands, and although not of great extent are commodious and safe with the prevailing winds. The coasts may be approached with safety, as the reefs are visible and soundings regular. The mean temperature is about 76°. The south sides of all the islands are cooler, and more subject to rain and winds than the north, and do not afford so many harbors and shelters. During our stay, I had hourly observations made on the tides at four of the islands, the results of which will be interesting, and prove that the influence which governs these phenomena has not ceased to act in this part of the world, as some have reported. Other observations were made as usual. Vessels visiting these islands can obtain complete supplies of hogs and vegetables. Water is abundant in all the harbors and easily obtained, particularly at Apia. Large streams of water emptying into the harbors of all the islands except at Savaii where springs are abundant. These islands may be visited with safety at all seasons of the year. From November to March, they are most subject to bad weather, when variable winds prevail. They are seldom visited by gales. Among the harbors there are those which The island of Savaii contains 2,700 square miles. The population, number of native schools, missionaries, teachers, and pupils, as estimated, are as follows, viz: Islands. Popula- No. who Native Pupils Mis- Whites. sionaries. E. Group, tion. profess teachers. Christ'y. About two-thirds of the whole population are said to be of the missionary or Christian party, and about 10,000 who read or write. The inhabitants generally reside on or near the sea coast, although at Upolu there are several large villages in the interior. The Rev. Mr. WILLIAMS visited this group in 1830 when they were engaged in a general war, since which time they have been at peace. Several native teachers were establish. ed here by Mr. WILLIAMS, and the missionaries arrived from England in 1836. It affords me pleasure to bear testimony to the successful exertions of these gentlemen, in the great changes which must have taken place in so short a time, in the feelings, habits, and manners of the inhabitants. The language has been reduced to writing; a printing press established; books distributed; and a foreigner may now pass in any direction, meeting a hospitable reception from all. The native schools are well attended, and although accustomed to the rapid advancement of education in our own country, I was surprised to witness a more rapid one in these islands, proving that the natives are by no means deficient in the necessary faculties for rapid advancement in civilization. The war clubs and spears are disappearing except as articles of traffic with the whites. Cannibalism is supposed never to have existed at this group. Few diseases exist; those common to tropical climates, and would, I am informed, yield to medical treatment. The islands are high and mountainous, and composed of lava, with several extinct volcanoes and well defined craters. The ridges extend from E. to W. as the islands lay. The highest peak is about 3,500 feet above the level of the sea; they gradually descend towards the sea, forming slopes susceptible of a high state of cultivation. Earthquakes are frequent; the motions are tremulous and horizontal, which produce the sensation of sea-sickness. The soil is richer than upon any of the islands visited by us, and by cultivation would produce all the tropical fruits and plants. Sugar cane is found wild and of large size; also coffee, cotton, arrow-root, bread-fruit, taros, yams, sweet potatoes, oranges, pine-apples, bananas, vir-apples, and spices. The missionaries have introduced cattle, horses, sheep, and goats. Various seeds, procured in the U. S., have been distributed through our horticulturists, agreeably to your instructions, and in a few years I have no doubt that the supplies will be abundant. It affords me pleasure to report, that I have received from the officers and scientific gentlemen all the aid which it was in their power to afford, in the discharge of the various duties required. The unpleasant weather difficulties at the islands, and a desire to complete our surveys in such a manner as to avoid a second examination of any part, have detained me longer at this group than I could have wished; which, with the unavoidable delay experienced early in the spring (of which you were informed) render it impossible to visit the Fejee group this season, without protracting my arrival at Sydney too late to make the necessary preparations for our Antarc tic cruise. The health of the squadron generally is good. The return to this harbor of the other vessels of the squadron, and the completion of the duties required here will enable us to sail in company for Sydney. I have the honor to be sir, most respectfully, your obedi- Hon. JAMES K. PAULDING, aledged, the March't will finde wayes to bring in the Country for theire pt, yet we count it not so safe, nor good For the whole, to putt any man upon the tentation of being his owne Carver in this respect-4th If this be maniged by few hands, it will be much inconvenience to Marchants affaires for want of dispatch, &c. and Putt men on tentation of Steling Costom, the Prosecution of which may Embroile us in many quarells and litigations: or if managed by many hands, then the incom hereby will be much lessened, & o'r estates goe to ye mainetenance of many idle-persons & such as the Country might find more advantage from another way of employ-5th the consideration of the Greate obstruction, & prejudice this will be to trade, for want of Despatch &c Experience sufficiently speakes, & whether it may not remove trade to some Neighbo'r Port [is] to be fear ed. As to the other pt. Viz. tew pence pr bush. on Corne from other Collonys &c, we have to much cause to suspect that it will be matter of high exasperation unto them: & A Voice from the Merchants of Salem how ill timed hath its Considerations wi'h us. Loue, Peace in 1668. The petition which follows may be found, among others on the same subject, in the Massachusetts Archives, in the first volume of the series entitled "Maritime," in the collection made by Rev. Mr. Felt, and will be read with interest by those who love to look back on the history of our early days. It explains itself, as praying for the repeal of an act laying a duty of one per cent. on imports and exports, and two pence on each bushel of grain from adjacent colonies. There is no date on the petition, but a comparison with others of a similar tenor, and other circumstances warrant the conclusion that it was written between May and November, and probably previous to September, of the year 1668. The original is well worth the attention of antiquaries, as it contains autograph signatures of many of the most honored and distinguished early citizens of Salem, whose names are identified with much that is useful, enterprising and honorable in our history, and whose descendants still remain among us engaged in active business pursuits-among them the Brownes, Verens, Hathorne, Hodges, Phippen, Ward, Pickman, Sanders, Gardner and many others. Not the least interesting in the list is the name of Giles Cory, or, as he himself spelled it, Geoyles Cory, written by his own hand. This is the same Cory, who, afterwards, in the days of witchcraft, at the age of 77 was pressed to death for refusing to plead-the only instance, says Grahame, in which this English legal barbarity was ever inflicted in North America. We have another petition on the same subject from Marblehead, presented about the same time, which we shall give hereafter.-Essex Register. To the Honored Gen'll Court now Assembled at Boston. The petition of severall the Inhabitants of Salem subscribers here unto Humbly sheweth That yo'r Petitioners understanding that something hath ben done by this Hon'rd Court Formerly, and further Prosecuted by the Hon'd Councell, by their appointm't, in order to setleing a Costom or tax, Viz. one pr Cent upon all goods exported and imported: as also two pence pr bushell on all graine from the Neigbo'r Collonyes-And we not doubting butt the Publique weale & Prosperity of Colony & Country is the end and aime of all yo'r Councills & Actions, which & Concord being our gratest strength against Forreigne & Native Foes-2ly Our Nessecitys Call for ther Supply: wee Compute 30 or 40000 bush. of Graine at least to Com from those parts in a yeare, & yet we have generaly butt from hand to mouth: & this Collony lesse proper for such supplyes: labour being to more advantage improved in manufactures and other wayes: if we add here vnto the hand of God for severall yeares blasting our Principall graine (& how long it may continue, it is alone w'th himselfe) We cannott see a probability of Supply for Food much lesse to carry on trade: Wee have had (some of us at least) certaine Notice that alredy they are Studdying to Cast about some other way (if this be not prevented) which they are now more Capacitated to then formerly-3ly Here also it is a qure, whether it be not against the Rules of Commutatiue Justice: whether we do not take away (& that according to o'r plesure) from those to whom we render not the valuein fine, we much fea re if we lay ye Foundation of this Costom on o'r selues it may be Continued & augmented by such as may not be so acceptable to vs : & an occation to depriue us of those Preuilidges for which wee haue hither to such aboundant Cause to blesse God: & lay us open to the reproach of such as will haue to much Cause to Obraide us, that by Seeking Great things to our selues we haue lost o'r all. The premisses, by this hono'd Court Considered, we humbly begg that these Costomes may not passe into act, but (by a repeale) the Inconveniences, damages and prejudices likely therby to Ensue may be seasonably pvented; and if the nessesity of the Country shall yet call for a farther supply of mony beyond the late raised tax on Publick houses (w'ch we should hope may Suffice) wee humbly conceive, the raiseing of peces of eight unto six shillings pr pece or as Equivolent to our mony, would be a meanes yt the usual rates raised in this Collony might be paid in mony with out Prejudice unto any; and ye Accomplishment of the same found a grate benifitt unto all-whereby mony would so increase in this Collony that Public ingagments as well as Privatt should be discharged by it, which will raise as much Credit abroad, supply the necessary charges of the Country more readily at home, take away all troubles & greviances by ye aforsd Costoms, coming upon Vs, & kepe us more in peace & Vnity with our neighbor Collonies. Charles Sitgreaves, Esq., of Warren, has been appointed, by David R. Porter, Governor of Pennsylvania, Commissioner for the State of New Jersey, to take acknowledgment and proof of deeds, mortgages, or conveyance of lands, &c., lying in the State of Pennsylvania; and to take depositions under any commission emanating from any of the Courts we assure our selues out-bid all other Considerations with you-In this confidence, we who are embarqued in the same Bottom w'th your selues, & Redy to run all hazards of Liues and estates for Common good, humbly make bould in this way, to psent our thoughts in refference to the pmisses-and First, As to ye one pr Cent, we very much feare, it will be greate provocation to our Frinds abroad, principally those who have paid theire Costoms in Eng'l-2 ly That it will be much alienation of affection & breach of peace among our selues, who through God's Goodnesse & your Prudent Gouernances haue hitherto bin Generally unanimous-3 ly A Trout from Pizeco Lake.-We saw in this city a we are not with out scruples whether it doth not entrench fresh water trout weighing 14 pounds; three feet and one on distributiue Justice, not equally proportioning the pub-inch in length, and seven inches in breadth-caught by lique charge (which we supose this is intended For) casting Mr. Albert Moore, of Pizeco, on Saturday last. the whole burden on the March't. and though it may be of that State.-Am. Sentinel. Troy Whig. |